Real New Zealand Festival Advisory

“What Does Your Labour Weekend Look Like?”

Monday 10 October

Events Date: 22 to 24 October

Events:

NORTH ISLAND EVENTS VENUES DATES TIMES

Catch “it”! Bay of Island Seafood tournament Fishing spots around Paihia, Russell, Waitangi, Northland- Bay of Island 20-22 Oct 8am-4.30pm

“it” Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival Paihia 22 Oct 11am-6pm

Tauranga Arts Festival

Tauranga 20-31 Oct various

Gisborne Wine and Food Festival Gisborne 23 Oct 12.30pm-11.30pm

Homegrown Coromandel Peninsula 15-23 Oct various

The REAL Whanganui Festival Whanganui 9-23Oct various

A Quintessential Kiwi Concert Taupo 23 Oct 3pm-8.30pm

Wellington fanzone Wellington fanzone various

SOUTH ISLAND EVENTS VENUES DATES TIMES

Nelson Arts Festival Nelson 21-24 Oct various

Presenting Canterbury Fanzone: Hagley Park - Christchurch 8-23 Oct Various, pre-game entertainment

Methven Rodeo Methven 23 Oct 8.30am

West Coast Whitebait Season Festival West Coast Until 23 Oct various

Wanaka Wine and Food Fest Wanaka 22 & 23 Oct 11am – 6pm

Queenstown JazzFest Queenstown Earnslaw Park 20-24 Oct various

Event info – NORTH ISLAND

• Catch “it”! Bay of Island Seafood Tournament: Two days of fishing fun and competitions in Northland.

• “It” Bay of Islands Food and Wine Festival: Capping off the Catch "it" Bay of Islands Seafood Tournament, this is Northland's Kiwiana Seafood & Wine Festival with a typically relaxed Bay of Islands atmosphere.

• Tauranga Arts Festival: 10 exciting days of entertainment including music, theatre, cabaret and exhibitions. Highlight include Grace: The Exhibiton – the product of a unique collaboration between legendary rugby photographer Peter Bush and renowned New Zealand choreographer Raewyn Hill resulting in the creation of a compelling series of photographs in which the strength, style, skill and passion of rugby is mimicked by the fluid physical movements of dance.

• Gisborne Wine and Food Festival: The best of Gisborne's world-class wines and superb food, showcased in a stunning vineyard location and featuring top New Zealand music

• Homegrown: Celebrate Rugby World Cup 2011 and "Coro" food, art and Kiwi music in The Coromandel.

• The REAL Whanganui Festival: the city will be a riot of colour and festivity, with events including operetta, historical tours, music, literary events, painting extravaganzas, artists' open studios, sculpture and art exhibitions, art workshops and a national glass auction — over 60 events of an artistic nature, complimented by rugby, horse racing and bull racing in nearby Bulls.

• A Quintessential Kiwi Concert: Located in the heart of Taupō’s hospitality precinct alongside the official Rugby World Cup 2011 Fanzone, the area will be transformed into an outdoor concert venue which will rock until pre-match game coverage starts on the big screen.

Event info – SOUTH ISLAND

• Nelson Arts Festival: For 14 years the Nelson Arts Festival has offered Nelsonians and visitors 17 days of top national and international theatre, dance, cabaret, music and talks. Highlights include the works of UK guerrilla artist Banksy and other top US and European street artists go on show down under for the first time ever.

• Presenting Canterbury: Canterbury best food and wine. Traditional market setting in Hagley Park. Cooking demonstration. The Christchurch Fanzone features the Ruck, two giant screens, a mini rugby ground with REAL New Zealand grass banked by grandstands on all sides, a bar and food area and a stage for live entertainment.

• Methven Rodeo: Bucking bronco and bull riding, calf roping and steer wrestling. The annual Methven Rodeo has attracted professional competitors from near and far for over 40 years.

• West Coast Whitebait Season Festival: The West Coast is the heart of whitebait territory and visitors have the challenge (and the pleasure) of becoming world-famous whitebait judges.

• Wanaka Wine & Food Fest: A two-day celebration of local wine and food. On Saturday, taste some delicious fine food prepared by top Wanaka chefs using local ingredients, Otago wines and micro-brew beers at a series of informative and entertaining master classes. On Sunday, enjoy some "wackier" creations. From chocolate ravioli to purple pies, chefs will be preparing some wilder, gamier dishes matched with local beverages.

• Queenstown JazzFest: A stunning line-up of over 100 local, national and international artists will showcase their talents across all genres of jazz as they take part in over 40 different free events and headline ticketed concerts.

It’s Labour Weekend – find out what’s happening where you’re going!

Spring has sprung and the kids are on holiday, the time has come to explore your backyard. This year, Labour Weekend will be even more fun as the whole country is buzzing with Rugby World Cup 2011 fever. International visitors are taking the opportunity to discover the amazing landscapes and attractions that New Zealand is famous for and all along the road; the REAL New Zealand Festival offers a multitude of colourful events for all.

If you are a visitor to New Zealand, experience some outstanding local and national entertainment in our special part of the world. You’ll also find many reasons to extend your stay and make the most of Aotearoa.

Find out which events are made for you on www.realnzfestival.com

Itinerary Options:

Northern

If you are leaving Auckland for a few days, head up north, to Paihia, on time for the Catch “it” Bay of Island Seafood Tournament, culminating with “It” Bay of Island Food and Wine Festival, a successful recipe of fantastic food, wine, entertainment, fishing and friendly locals all mixed up together in the beautiful Bay of Islands.

Got a bach in The Coromandel? Then don’t miss Homegrown and sample the food, the art and the brilliant kiwi music. Or head down to the 2011 Tauranga Arts Festival which will have the town vibrating for 10 days with a wealth of entertainment including music, theatre, cabaret and exhibitions. Highlights of the festival include the return of The Loons with their new show Berlin Burlesque, performances from Kiwi music darlings Julia Deans and Anna Coddington, as well as Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2011 hit The Adventures of Alvin Sputnik and the hugely popular Rita and Douglas.

A stunning visual arts line up is headed by Grace: The Exhibition. Grace is the product of a unique collaboration resulting in the creation of a compelling series of photographs in which the strength, style, skill and passion of rugby is mimicked by the fluid physical movements of dance.

Should you have to stay in Auckland for the weekend, Coromandel Town is just a two-hour scenic journey from downtown Auckland aboard the 360 Ferry.

Wine lovers should head to the East Coast and taste world-class wine and superb food in a stunning vineyard setting at the Gisborne Wine and Food Festival, a must do!

If you are heading south, remember that the REAL Whanganui Festival is on, offering an array of events not to be missed.

Finally, if the Central Plateau is your destination, head into Taupo for the Quintessential Kiwi Concert for live bands and watch the Final on the big screen.

For South Island events, to find out more information on these events, visit www.realnzfestival.com

Southern

If Art is your thing or if you are already planning to spend some time in the Marlborough Sounds or the Abel Tasman area, then Nelson is the place to go to. Immerse yourself in the Nelson Arts Festival and enjoy a cocktail of theatre, dance, cabaret, music and talks. The programme brings a diverse collection of works from New Zealand and afar, including Rita and Douglas, the unusual love story of two iconic Kiwis, artist Rita Angus and composer Douglas Lilburn, performed by highly acclaimed pianist Michael Houstoun and singer Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

There is a strong musical line up of national and international artists including Pacific Treasure Will Crummer and The Rarotongans, along with Lawrence Arabia - with his New Zealand premiere of Fabulous Arabia.

Make sure to allow time to check out the Piki Mai audio visual art work of projection and lighting on Nelson’s Cathedral and Church Steps.

Then of course there is Christchurch where you will be able to taste the region’s local produce at Presenting Canterbury, a fantastic celebration of fine foods, wine and experiences. Savour Canterbury daily at the festival, held beside the Rugby World Cup Fan Zone in Christchurch’s fantastic Hagley Park.

Not sure where to go yet? Then follow the West Coast to indulge in the local delicacy. Explore the best of the region with the West Coast Whitebait Festival, offering activities from Karamea to Haast.

Even if you have missed the Methven-Mt Hutt Spring Festival there is still time to head out to this vibrant rural town. Experience mid Canterbury and channel your inner cowboy! The Methven Rodeo is on again and it’s only an hour south from Christchurch.

Central Otago bound? Wanaka will be celebrating local food and wine at the Wanaka Wine and Food Fest. Try out some wacky dishes from chocolate ravioli to purple pies!

If you have a flair for music then you will enjoy the Queenstown JazzFest. A few delightful days of Jazz in stunning surrounds.

Find out about all the events leading in to Labour Weekend on www.realnzfestival.com

For more information on these events and to find out more REAL entertainment in the South and North Island, visit www.realnzfestival.com

ABOUT The REAL New Zealand Festival:

The REAL New Zealand Festival is a nationwide celebration of all the things we love most about New Zealand, with events and experiences throughout the country. Experience New Zealand arts, food and wine, heritage, culture, entertainment, business and lifestyle.

ENDS

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